The Fulham Supporters' Trust, when formed under the campaign name 'Back to the Cottage,' always envisaged Fulham Football Club returning to their rightful home for good. We were delighted when the club formally submitted plans to redevelop the Riverside Stand to Hammersmith & Fulham Council in December 2011.

The plans would increase the capacity of Craven Cottage to 30,000 seats consolidating Fulham's stay at the ground which has been our home for 115 years. The new development will provide a state-of-the-art modern Riverside stand as well as significantly improving the visual appearance of the area, introduce a new riverside walk along the River Thames and provide a riverside café open to the public. The new plans would also better neccesitate the management of crowds on match days.

The club have run three stages of consultation with supporters, local residents, the local authority and other interested parties. The plans were endorsed by 91% of local residents and 92% of other respondents.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council are now considering the merits of the club's application for planning permission. The Trust has sent a letter in support of the plans to the Council and strongly urges both our members and Fulham fans to do the same. We have drafted a sample letter on which you can base your own. If you would like to receive a copy or learn more about the planning application process, please email info@fulhamsupporterstrust.com.

Letters should be addressed to:

Sian Brown

Case Officer

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Town Hall Extension

King Street

London W6 9JU

The Council's planning department will publish their report on the planning application shortly.

You may be aware that some local groups have been commented in the press about these proposals. The Trust wrote a letter to the Hammersmith & Fulham Chronicle rebutting the claims of the Friends' of Bishops Park last month, which can be viewed here.